Second Round Primary

Chung Faces Uphill Battle to Compete With Lee Myung-bak

Former Unification Minister Chung Dong-young was selected as the presidential candidate for the United New Democratic Party (UNDP). We congratulate Chung on his winning the party ticket as it can be regarded as the result of his strenuous efforts to be the flag bearer for the governing camp. He is lauded for having worked tirelessly toward that end, billing himself as the right person to inherit the legacy of former President Kim Dae-jung and President Roh Moo-hyun. His victory has mainly been thanks to the support of the people who backed Kim and Roh.

But it remains to be seen whether Chung will be able to rally the progressive forces behind him to successfully compete with the formidable contender Lee Myung-bak of the opposition Grand National Party (GNP). He has support of less than 10 percent in various polls while Lee is enjoying a comfortable lead of more than 50 percent in the presidential race.

Chung first needs to win the hearts of his hitherto rivals _ former Gyeonggi Province governor Sohn Hak-kyu and former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan _ to muster forces enough to match Lee Myung-bak. Lee Hae-chan has allegedly been backed, albeit clandestinely, by President Roh and former President Kim, due to the likelihood of his faithful inheritance of their policies. But he has been regarded as a sort of ``persona non grata'' among the people with his stubborn and arrogant attitude.

Both Sohn and Lee said they would humbly accept the primary outcome and help the UDNP win the presidential election. But skepticism has been rising as antagonism among them has been ever widening with their involvement in smear campaigns. Many Roh confidants stood by Lee Hae-chan during the primary. Chung will have to attract them first by proving he is the only viable alternative. Chung also needs to overcome the lingering negative image in his camp regarding illegal campaigning such as the busing of people to voting centers.

Moon Kook-hyun, the former CEO of staple product maker Yuhan-Kimberly, is likely to emerge as Chung's rival in the process of unifying the candidacy in the greater governing camp. Only tens of days after declaring his presidency, Moon has emerged as a dark horse in the race with support of more than 5 percent. Moon earlier said he would join the move to choose a single candidate from early November. Chung Dong-young, upon accepting the candidacy, also clarified he would soon embark on moves to unify the candidacy.

Another factor will be Rep. Rhee In-je, the most favored presidential nominee of the minor opposition Democratic Party. All told, people's support will be the greatest factor in determining the outcome of the presidential elections as well as the move to choose a single candidate in the ruling camp. Each candidate will likely leave no stone unturned in the time remaining to earn more support from the people. And they will eventually seek a unified candidacy next month, one month before the Dec. 19 election.